This bench is 100% recycled material. The only tools used were a hammer and a saw.
The bench almost never came to be. I was attempting to throw out the pallets for a company who did some siding work on one of my jobs. Neither the garbage men nor the scrappers took the pallets. After a week I decided to make something out of nothing.
Here is what I began with. Two larger pallets, originally filled with house siding and delivered to a job site.
Being cheap and/ or "green," I removed and straightened every nail from pieces I took off the pallets. I then reused every single nail.
 |
| A few that I diligently made like new |
Here is the beginnings. One pallet was used for parts. The other pallet is beginning to take shape as the seat of a bench and the back rest.
Here is a shot of my rough idea coming to shape. At this point, the back is just balancing and not yet secured to the bench seat.
Here is a side shot. The short 2 x 4 on the back is the only piece of material that was not from the original two pallets. But that piece of wood was heading for the garbage or the fire pit, so I threw it on for a little extra support to the back rest.
A closer shot of the back of the bench.
Here we are getting closer to the finished product. A couple of notes.
1) I literally ran out of material so I did not fashion any arm rests. Hopefully I come across another pallet and use that material.
2) The base of the bench is supposed to look like pallets. I tore down, cut and built this base out of the "parts" pallet with the intent on it looking like two original pallets.
Pre stain, but close to finished product.
Side shot. Notice the split piece is in a non load bearing location.
 |
| Pointed eared friend was no help |
Similar shot
Good look down the bench. Notice the alternating yet natural colors of the back rest.
This is all that remains from the original two pallets in the top picture. A couple cut offs and splinters that will become fire wood. Return to earth.
Update 9/12/12***
Here is the stained up and sealed product. Still missing armrests - need to dumpster dive some more pallets.
Went with Cabot Australian Timber Oil "Natural" finish. I thought of painting the bench...possibly doing a white wash or some sort of distressed thing. In the end I think the pallet wood is cool and this best displays that.
 |
| Do they also make cottage cheese? |
Here is the back stained up, but not the bench seat:
Another shot of the back all stained up:
Here the bench seat is half way done and not yet dry. The color is slightly darker when dry.
Pretty close to finished here, not quite dry yet.
Somehow a cool grain appeared in spots when I applied the stain. Who knew pallet wood was so exotic?
